[EricH]

A couple of comments:

It sounds like the first gate falling was handled appropriately--if you can get it up and fixed safely, without entering the field, do so is the rule of the field crew. The first covering, therefore, would not be grounds for replay.

The SECOND covering, however, obviously did affect the match--it disabled two robots in a close match. That one, it could be argued, was on the team that knocked it off--but a second robot being disabled is a bit much. I've seen matches where one of those gates jammed under one robot with no damage being called for replay. (As I recall, that particular gate made it to the opposite corner of the field and into the middle of a pushing match before someone made it to the replay switch.)


Now, a couple of other comments, regarding the handling: The Head Ref is well within his perogative to consult non-refs, per the rules--and that consulted person was also well-versed in the rules and gave the correct answer. However, the head ref's ruling was (in my opinion, not having seen the match) incorrect. Two disabled robots does affect the match, regardless of what anybody else thinks--and the fact that this happened TWICE in one match in two different corners makes me think that some field resetters aren't using the velcro at the bottom of the gates. Sometimes you really have to hit it hard. That should be a field fault.

Now, when you asked for the chief referee, the "higher authority" should have had a better answer than that they "thought" they'd talked to him--maybe even getting you guys and him in the same place would have been a good idea. If you get a chance tomorrow, ask the chief referee if he was consulted. If he was, then several regionals may have been miscalled, namely the ones that considered the gates coming off to be a field fault. If he was not, then I suggest asking his opinion on the subject, should it come up in the future. You don't want to ask him for a replay, mind you--just what he thinks on the matter. (If he thinks that a replay may be warranted, it's up to him to bring it up to the Head Ref on that field, who can call for the replay or not.)


And as for that gate panel not being part of the field... I suppose that the trip guards are not part of the field as well, due to them being there for safety. Ditto for the HP barrier... Just because something's there for safety does NOT mean that it is not part of the field. (It doesn't mean that it is, either--see safety glasses--but that particular item being packed with and shipped with all the other Lexan from the side rails...)